The Shocking Truth About The Pulse Netflix Cast: Where Are They Now After The Sudden Cancellation?

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The Netflix medical drama Pulse arrived on the streaming service on April 3, 2025, promising a fresh, high-stakes look into the demanding world of a Level 1 trauma center in Miami. Created by Zoe Robyn and co-showrun by TV veteran Carlton Cuse, the series immediately drew attention for its intense, fast-paced storyline and a cast packed with recognizable faces from major TV hits. However, despite the initial buzz and a cliffhanger ending, fans received a devastating piece of news in late 2025: the series was officially cancelled after just one season.

This surprising decision left many viewers wondering what happened and what's next for the talented ensemble who brought the doctors and nurses of Maguire Hospital to life. This article dives into the full Pulse Netflix cast, detailing their roles, providing complete biographical profiles, and revealing the latest updates on their careers following the show's quiet, yet shocking, exit from the Netflix lineup.

Meet the Core Cast: Full Biography and Character Profiles

The success of any medical drama hinges on the chemistry and performance of its central doctors. Pulse was anchored by four major talents, each with an impressive television pedigree. Here is a detailed look at the actors who led the team at the Miami trauma center.

Willa Fitzgerald as Dr. Danielle “Danny” Simms

  • Character Role: Danny Simms is a determined and sharp third-year resident who finds herself unexpectedly thrust into a leadership position after a chief resident is sidelined. Her journey forms the emotional core of the series, grappling with the immense pressure of the Level 1 trauma center.
  • Full Name: Willa Fitzgerald
  • Born: January 17, 1991
  • Hometown/Origin: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
  • Notable Works: Fitzgerald is best known for her starring role as Emma Duval in MTV’s horror series Scream. She also gained critical recognition for playing Roscoe Conklin in the Amazon Prime Video action series Reacher and for her chilling performance as Madeline Usher in the Netflix limited series The Fall of the House of Usher.
  • Latest Update: Following the *Pulse* cancellation, Fitzgerald is expected to continue her work in high-profile streaming projects, cementing her status as a versatile leading actress in both the horror and drama genres.

Colin Woodell as Dr. Xander Phillips

  • Character Role: Xander Phillips is the chief resident whose career is dramatically altered in the series' opening. His character provides a complex dynamic within the hospital, challenging Danny’s unexpected promotion and leadership.
  • Full Name: Colin Todd Gerard Woodell
  • Born: December 20, 1991
  • Hometown/Origin: Burlingame, California, USA
  • Notable Works: Woodell is a familiar face to fantasy and action fans, having played Aiden in the supernatural drama The Originals. He also starred as Rick Betancourt in the television series adaptation of The Purge and had a major role in the Peacock miniseries The Continental. He also appeared in the HBO Max series The Flight Attendant.
  • Latest Update: Woodell’s career remains strong, particularly after his high-profile role in *The Continental*. His next projects are anticipated to be in the action and thriller space, leveraging his established on-screen presence.

Jessie T. Usher as Sam Elijah

  • Character Role: Details on Sam Elijah's specific role at Maguire Hospital were kept tight, but Usher’s involvement suggested a major, complex character in the medical drama's ensemble, likely a fellow doctor or a key figure in the hospital administration.
  • Full Name: Jessie Thezeire Usher Jr.
  • Born: February 29, 1992 (Leap Day Baby!)
  • Hometown/Origin: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
  • Notable Works: Usher is globally recognized for his breakout role as the incredibly fast, yet morally compromised, superhero A-Train in the critically acclaimed Amazon Prime Video series The Boys. He also starred in the film Independence Day: Resurgence and the Starz comedy-drama Survivor's Remorse.
  • Latest Update: Usher’s primary focus remains on his role in The Boys, which continues to be one of the most popular streaming series globally. His involvement in Pulse was a high-profile move into the medical drama genre, which is now unfortunately cut short.

Justina Machado as Dr. Natalie Cruz

  • Character Role: Dr. Natalie Cruz is a seasoned doctor at the trauma center, likely serving as a mentor and a grounding presence for the younger residents like Danny Simms and Camila Perez.
  • Full Name: Justina Machado
  • Hometown/Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA (of Puerto Rican descent)
  • Notable Works: Machado is a veteran actress known for her versatility. Her most iconic roles include Vanessa Diaz in the critically acclaimed HBO drama series Six Feet Under and Penelope Alvarez in the beloved Netflix reboot of One Day at a Time. She has also lent her voice to animated projects and appeared in numerous films.
  • Latest Update: Machado continues to be one of the most sought-after actresses in television, frequently appearing in both comedy and drama. Her experience added significant weight and topical authority to the Pulse ensemble.

The Full Ensemble: Key Supporting Cast Members

A Level 1 trauma center requires a large and capable staff. The Pulse cast was rounded out by several other talented actors who played critical roles in the high-stakes environment of Maguire Hospital. These supporting entities helped build the world of the medical drama and provided crucial storylines outside of the main residents.

  • Jessica Rothe as Cass Himmelstein: Rothe is well-known for her starring role in the horror-comedy film series Happy Death Day. In Pulse, she played Cass Himmelstein, likely a fellow resident or an emergency room nurse, adding another layer of talent to the cast.
  • Jack Bannon as Dr. Tom Cole: Bannon is most recognized for playing the young Alfred Pennyworth in the DC Comics-inspired series Pennyworth. His role as Dr. Tom Cole brought a familiar face from the superhero genre into the hospital environment.
  • Daniela Nieves as Camila Perez: Nieves portrayed Camila Perez, a third-year medical student being mentored by Dr. Natalie Cruz. Her character represented the new, hopeful generation entering the chaotic world of trauma medicine.
  • Jessy Yates: Yates was also listed among the key cast members, contributing to the rich tapestry of the hospital staff.

Why the Pulse Flatlined: The Shocking Cancellation After One Season

The biggest and most surprising update regarding Pulse is its swift cancellation by Netflix, a decision that came shortly after its April 2025 premiere. The series was not intended to be a limited series; it was designed as an ongoing medical drama, and its first season concluded with story threads left unresolved, leading to significant fan disappointment.

The cancellation of Pulse is an unfortunate example of Netflix’s increasingly strict metrics for renewal. The platform, known for its "cancel culture," often prioritizes a show's completion rate and total viewing hours within the first 28 days over critical reception or loyal fan bases.

Possible reasons for the show's flatlining include:

  • High Production Costs: Medical dramas, especially those set in a Level 1 trauma center with intense action sequences like the hurricane setting in the pilot, are expensive to produce.
  • Failure to Meet Internal Benchmarks: Despite having a recognizable cast, the show likely did not meet Netflix’s confidential, yet aggressive, renewal thresholds for viewership and completion, especially in a competitive genre.
  • A Crowded Genre: The medical drama space is saturated with long-running, successful shows. While Pulse offered a Miami setting and a unique focus on trauma, it may not have stood out enough to secure a large, dedicated global audience.

The cancellation news, confirmed in late 2025, means that the 10-episode first season, which ended on a cliffhanger, now serves as the permanent series finale. This leaves the fate of Dr. Danny Simms, Dr. Xander Phillips, and the entire Maguire Hospital staff permanently unresolved for fans who had invested in the show's intense storylines.

The Future of the Pulse Cast and the Medical Drama Genre

While the fate of Pulse on Netflix is sealed, the careers of its talented cast members are anything but. The actors involved are already established stars with multiple projects on their resumes, ensuring they will be back on screens soon in other high-profile roles. The series served as a brief, intense chapter in their careers, demonstrating their range in a high-pressure medical environment.

The show's creator, Zoe Robyn, and co-showrunner, Carlton Cuse (known for hits like Lost and Bates Motel), have a strong track record, and it is highly likely they will quickly move on to new projects, potentially with other streaming services or networks. The short-lived run of Pulse is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the streaming world, where even shows with a strong premise and a stellar cast, including stars from The Boys and Reacher, are not guaranteed a second chance. For now, fans can revisit the single season of Pulse to appreciate the dynamic performances of the cast before they move on to their next hit projects.

The Shocking Truth About the Pulse Netflix Cast: Where Are They Now After the Sudden Cancellation?
pulse netflix cast
pulse netflix cast

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